Share

cover art for How Microsoft Created a Thriving Workforce by Going Beyond Employee Engagement

Digital HR Leaders with David Green

How Microsoft Created a Thriving Workforce by Going Beyond Employee Engagement

Season 26, Ep. 130

In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, David is joined by Microsoft’s Head of People Analytics, Dawn Klinghoffer.  

 

With over 25 years of experience in HR, Dawn is passionate about using data and analytics to drive insights that help organisations make better decisions about their people. She’s also a big advocate for employee thriving – which she believes is a much better measure of success than employee engagement.  

 

In this episode, Dawn shares her thoughts on why employee thriving is so important, and how organisations can create cultures that support it. The conversation will also cover the role of people analytics in solving organisational challenges, and Dawn even shares a sneak peek into her upcoming research.  

 

So if you’re interested in learning more about employee thriving, or you’re just curious to learn what Microsoft is up to in the world of people analytics, tune in now! 

 

Links to the resources mentioned in the podcast: 

https://hbr.org/2022/06/why-microsoft-measures-employee-thriving-not-engagement 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/inside-microsoft/annual-report?activetab=innovation-spotlights%3aprimaryr4 

 

Enjoy! 

 

Support from this podcast comes from Hibob. You can learn more by visiting:  

https://hibobl.ink/DHL 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 185. Actionable People Analytics Strategies to Influence Senior Leadership (an Interview with Louise Millar and Olivia Edwards)

    36:33
    How can people analytics enhance the strategic influence of HR?  In today’s episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, we will be exploring that exact question, through the lens of start-up financial services organisation, Chetwood Financial.   Having only been on their people analytics journey for a year now, Louise Millar, People Director, and Olivia Edwards, Colleague Engagement Lead, have seen a remarkable shift in the perception of HR by the overall business.   From reshaping company culture to gaining buy-in from senior leadership, Louise and Olivia offer invaluable insights into how people analytics is reshaping the future of HR. As such, listening to this episode, you can expect to learn:  How Chetwood Financial initiated and embraced their people analytics journey Tangible examples of how data-driven insights have revolutionised HR strategies and reshaped organisational dynamics The role of people analytics in reshaping company culture and fostering employee engagement Strategies employed by Louise and Olivia for gaining buy-in from senior leadership and reshaping organisational values The transformative impact of people analytics on the future of HR and organisational success  Support from this podcast comes from global platform leader for employee experience, Culture Amp. Learn more about how Culture Amp can help you create a better world of work at http://cultureamp.com 
  • 184. What is Evidence Based HR and Why is it Important? (An Interview With Rob Briner)

    38:21
    As HR is increasingly becoming a strategic partner in driving organisational success, the call for evidence-based practice (EBP) in HR is louder than ever.   But what exactly does it mean to adopt an evidence-based approach? How can it transform how we attract, develop, and retain talent? And how is it different from people analytics?  In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, Rob Briner, Professor of Organisational Psychology at Queen Mary University of London and Associate Director of Research at the Corporate Research Forum, underscores the simple yet profound impact of integrating data, scientific research, stakeholder insights and professional expertise to improve HR effectiveness.  Throughout the conversation, David and Rob explore:  The principles of evidence-based practice and its critical role in contemporary HR strategy Practical case studies demonstrating the application of evidence-based HR and guidelines for its implementation within organisational structures  What the differences are between evidence-based HR and people analytics  How these two approaches complement each other to enhance the HR function Recommendations on when HR should lean towards people analytics versus evidence-based HR practices to make informed decisions A debate on whether all HR practices should be evidence-based Expert recommendations for Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) and HR leaders on incorporating EBP into organisational frameworks  Essential skills and competencies HR professionals that are vital for mastering evidence-based HR   This episode is a must-listen for HR professionals eager to build a data-driven HR function and elevate their strategic value and effectiveness through evidence-based practice, a testament to the power of integrating science with the art of human resource management.  Support from this podcast comes from global platform leader for employee experience, Culture Amp. Learn more about how Culture Amp can help you create a better world of work at http://cultureamp.com  Additional Resources: Evidence-Based HR: A New Paradigm 
  • 183. How to Prove the ROI of a Positive Company Culture (an Interview with Didier Elzinga)

    45:33
    In an era where the financial justification for HR initiatives is scrutinised more than ever, proving the ROI of culture and employee engagement initiatives is a critical challenge that many HR leaders are facing. However, demonstrating the financial impact of these initiatives is essential if we are to achieve board buy-in and ensure the sustainability of organisational culture in times of change and economic uncertainty.  This pressing issue is at the heart of this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, where host David Green is joined by Didier Elzinga, CEO of Culture Amp. Together, they will be discussing:  The pivotal role of a thriving culture in driving business growth The challenges businesses face in cultivating and maintaining a strong company culture, alongside practical strategies to address these challenges Key findings from CultureAmp’s research (link below) on the impact of organisational changes, such as layoffs, on employee engagement, and the lessons learned about engagement recovery times The remarkable resilience of employee engagement in regions like the UK and Germany Effective approaches for HR leaders to demonstrate the financial impact of culture and engagement initiatives to the C-suite Guidance for HR professionals on measuring the ROI of their culture and engagement efforts  This episode is an essential listen for HR leaders, chief people officers, and people analytics leaders looking to navigate the complexities of fostering a positive workplace culture in today’s economic climate. It offers not just insights and data but real-world advice on aligning culture and engagement initiatives with financial success. Support from this podcast comes from global platform leader for employee experience, Culture Amp. Learn more about how Culture Amp can help you create a better world of work at http://cultureamp.com  Link to CultureAmp’s ground-breaking research with Forrester:  https://tei.forrester.com/go/cultureamp/analyticsplatform/ 
  • 182. How to Embrace Long-Term Thinking in HR Leadership (an Interview with Dorie Clark)

    35:54
    Do you struggle to be proactive with your long-term goals? Are you constantly putting out fires, with no time to strategise for the long game?   In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with Dorie Clark, a distinguished professor at Columbia Business School, successful entrepreneur and author of the influential book, "The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World."  Together, they discuss the three-time celebrated Top 50 Business Thinker in the World’s invaluable insights into the essence of strategic patience and long-term thinking in today's short-term oriented world. Highlights from the conversation include:  Actionable advice on how HR leaders can carve out time from their busy schedules to focus on long-term goals The importance of prioritising and the strategic value of turning down opportunities to ensure focus on the most critical projects Insights on aligning objectives with business strategy while remaining flexible to adapt to unforeseen changes How embracing failure can drive innovation and creativity Understanding when to hold steady with your strategies and when to pivot  This episode is an essential listen for anyone in the HR field looking to break free from the cycle of reactivity and take a more strategic, long-term approach to their work and leadership.  Support from this podcast comes from global platform leader for employee experience, Culture Amp. Learn more about how Culture Amp can help you create a better world of work at http://cultureamp.com 
  • 181. Microsoft's Key to Strategic Workforce Planning Success (an Interview with Becky Thielen)

    38:28
    In the face of unprecedented changes in the world of work, driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting work models and the global economy's volatility, strategic workforce planning has never been more critical.  What can we learn from global tech giant, Microsoft, who have been leading the way in navigating these turbulent waters?  On this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with Becky Thielen, Senior Director of People Analytics at Microsoft, who has been instrumental in charting the course for Microsoft's strategic workforce planning initiatives.  This conversation will unveil:  Microsoft’s critical ingredients for strategic workforce planning success  The strategy behind building a resilient workforce planning framework Insights into the common challenges faced and how Microsoft has navigated these to establish a strong planning foundation An exploration of the tools and data analytics Microsoft uses to drive workforce planning and decision-making The tangible benefits realised from strategic workforce planning   This episode promises to be a rich resource of knowledge, strategies and insights for anyone interested in the future of work and strategic workforce planning.  Support from this podcast comes from global platform leader for employee experience, Culture Amp. Learn more about how Culture Amp can help you create a better world of work at http://cultureamp.com 
  • 180. Achieving AI & Human Synergy in Data-Driven HR

    48:02
    As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the future of HR and its people strategies are going to be data-driven. However, as we navigate through this digital transformation, finding the optimal equilibrium between human intervention and AI automation within HR processes is key if we are to effectively harness the potential of these technological advancements.In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders Podcast, David Green, and guest Bernard Marr, the author of "Data-Driven HR: How to Use AI, Analytics and Data to Drive Performance," delve deeper into this critical balance and its implications for the future of HR.Therefore, listeners can expect to learn more about:Insights into how HR is transitioning towards a data-driven approach, highlighting the pivotal role of AI, analytics, and data in reshaping HR strategies;Real-world examples and use cases where the synergy between human expertise and AI automation is most beneficial in HR;The ethical considerations surrounding the integration of AI in HR, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance;The transformative potential of immersive technologies like VR and the metaverse in enhancing the employee experience;How AI is revolutionising the field of people analytics and enabling HR professionals to make more informed decisions;The essential skills that both current and future HR and people analytics professionals and leaders should cultivate to thrive in this era of rapid technological advancement;The pivotal role of HR in redefining workforce skillsets for effective collaboration with AI and emerging technologiesThis episode is for current and aspiring HR and people analytics leaders seeking valuable insights into striking the balance between data-driven decision-making and human intervention, as well as understanding the transformative potential of AI, analytics, and immersive technologies within HR.Support from this podcast comes from ScreenCloud – the digital signage platform that helps HR around the globe elevate their digital employee experience, with 'screens that communicate'.To learn how ScreenCloud can enable your organisation to increase employee engagement, drive productivity, and improve compliance, visit screencloud.com
  • 179. How to Overcome AI Adoption Challenges in HR (an Interview with Eric Siegel)

    35:00
    Despite an abundance of research highlighting the importance of AI in enhancing HR processes, the vast majority of organisations are still at the earliest stages of adoption.  Even among those that have already implemented AI in HR, many are using it only for one or two niche applications. This is largely due to the perceived complexity and high costs associated with implementing AI technologies.  To tackle this issue, host David Green is joined by Eric Siegel, founder of Machine Learning Week and author of 'The AI Playbook: Monitoring the Rare Art of Machine Learning Deployment' to discuss how organisations can overcome these challenges and effectively integrate AI into their HR functions. Listeners can expect to learn more about:   The current state of AI adoption in HR and the barriers to widespread implementation The potential benefits of using AI in HR processes, including improved efficiency and decision-making Practical advice for organisations looking to adopt AI in their HR strategies How HR professionals can prepare for the impact of AI on their roles and responsibilities The role of ethics in AI adoption and how organisations can ensure responsible and ethical use   You can also expect to hear about real-world examples of successful AI adoption in HR, as well as insights on the future of AI and its potential impact on the evolution of the HR industry. So tune in to this episode to learn more about how AI can revolutionise HR and what steps your organisation can take to embrace this powerful technology.  Support from this podcast comes from ScreenCloud – the digital signage platform that helps HR around the globe elevate their digital employee experience, with 'screens that communicate'.  To learn how ScreenCloud can enable your organisation to increase employee engagement, drive productivity and improve compliance, visit screencloud.com  
  • 178. How to Bridge the Gap Between Customer and Employee Experience (an Interview with Luke Farrugia & Kaz Hassan)

    41:41
    As HR professionals and leaders, if we want to start taking a more strategic approach that will elevate the business impact HR has, we need to evolve from being process-focused to becoming strategic partners. This means taking ownership of people data and insights, and using them to drive decisions that have a real impact on the business.  Take, for instance, employee experience. How can we make this more strategic? What can we learn from marketing and the strategies that they use to enhance the customer experience?  To delve deeper into this topic, on this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with Kaz Hassan, Employee Experience Industry Lead at Unily, and Luke Farrugia, VP of Marketing at ScreenCloud.   Both guests bring unique insights and expertise on the topics of employee experience, internal communication and digital transformation, having both dedicated their careers to helping businesses improve their employee and customer experiences alike.   In this episode, listeners can expect to learn:  Lessons from marketing on their data-driven journey and how HR can apply these strategies Innovative strategies for effective employee listening and engagement Insights into why retention is still a major issue and the importance of focusing on employee engagement and a high-quality experience Strategies for enhancing digital experience, including the effective use of digital signage and internal communication tools Areas where HR professionals can upskill themselves to effectively manage the transition towards a more digital experience-driven workplace.  This episode is for every HR professional responsible for improving the employee experience and driving digital transformation in their organisation.   Support from this podcast comes from ScreenCloud – the digital signage platform that helps HR around the globe elevate their digital employee experience, with 'screens that communicate'.  To learn how ScreenCloud can enable your organisation to increase employee engagement, drive productivity, and improve compliance, visit screencloud.com   Link to research article referenced in the conversation:   Have employee experience leaders given up on retention?  
  • 177. How to Enhance Your Career in People Analytics (an Interview with Serena Huang)

    39:55
    It is undeniable that the role of People Analytics in HR strategy has become increasingly significant. However, despite its immense growth, career progression in the field is still a topic of concern for many People Analytics professionals.   In this episode of the Digital HR Leaders podcast, host David Green sits down with renowned People Analytics expert Serena Huang to discuss the common career paths observed in the field and how they have evolved over the years.  Throughout her years of experience as a leader in iconic companies such as GE, Kraft-Heinz and PayPal, Serena has gained valuable insights into the field of People Analytics. Now as the founder of her own company, Data with Serena, she brings a unique perspective on the evolution of careers in this field.  Join them as they dive into various topics such as:  - The common career paths in people analytics and their evolution over the years - The future of people analytics and how career stagnation issues can be addressed by individuals and organisations - The impact of AI advancements on the people analytics role, career structures and necessary skill sets - The strategic value of people analytics to CHROs and the challenges in leveraging it for strategic decision-making - Strengthening the relationship between people analytics leaders and CHROs - The role of people analytics in supporting employee wellbeing - Essential skills for aspiring people analytics professionals and leaders in the coming years  If you are looking to gain insights and knowledge on the current state and future of People Analytics careers, then this podcast is for you.  Support from this podcast comes from ScreenCloud – the digital signage platform that helps HR around the globe elevate their digital employee experience, with 'screens that communicate'.  To learn how ScreenCloud can enable your organisation to increase employee engagement, drive productivity and improve compliance, visit screencloud.com